Step It Up Series, Card 4

Today's post is the final one in my little series of using templates to design your cards and then making stepped up versions of them.
I am a little embarrassed at my sketch.  When we did this project, I was having some major technical problems and could not access my nicer sketches.  I chose one that I could design using a word document.  As it turned out, it is a good example of how you can start with a super simple template and take it as far as you'd like.  Here are my cards:

I actually used the stepped up version for the bonus card in my last Friday Night Cards class.  They really liked it a lot.
Here's my silly little sketch:

See what I mean?   It's super simple.  If you're really having a creative block, go for this image and it will really get you going.  Have you tried designing by starting with a template sketch?  It's really fun.


Don't forget about the Stamp Club deadline to pay to register for August.  If you did not sign up for the 3-month club (July-August-September), you can still pay $45. and take the August class.  
Pay to register by Monday, July 22.


Here's what we'll be making:

And here's what you'll get to take home:

I hope you'll join us.  We're going to have a lot of fun and I'll give you more ideas to try at home, using your take-home goodies.  

I'm off to enjoy my last day of Convention.  I will have lots to share with you.  We had an amazing day yesterday.  I still did not win a prize, but today could be the day.  Stay stamping until I get back!

Step It Up Series, Card 3

Today's post is our 3rd sketch in my series of using card templates and then making stepped up versions of your designs.  Using Jenn's sketch, here are the cards I designed:

It all started with this sketch that Jenn chose:

I really like this sketch and find it quite versatile for designing all kinds of wonderful cards.  Be sure you try this one.

Don't forget about the Stamp Club deadline to pay to register for August.  If you did not sign up for the 3-month club (July-August-September), you can still pay $45. and take the August class.  
Pay to register by Monday, July 22.


Here's what we'll be making:

And here's what you'll get to take home:

I hope you'll join us.  We're going to have a lot of fun and I'll give you more ideas to try at home, using your take-home goodies.  

Convention started yesterday.  I got up still exhausted, with another fun and exciting day ahead of me.  I will post soon about some of the experiences we had.  For now, let me just say that going into the 'Recognition Room' was absolutely awesome.  It was set up for a place to relax and to celebrate your achievements.  Jenn and I got to both go in.  She is celebrating her 5th year as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I am celebrating my 5th year in a row of 20K in sales.  I appreciate so much the loyalty of my customers who helped to make this possible.  Love you all!  Come back soon for more Convention tidbits. 

Step It Up Series, Card 2

In continuing my series on using card templates and making stepped up versions of cards, today's cards are from Laura's sketch.  Here are my 2 cards --- following the sketch and then stepping up my design. 

Here is the sketch that Laura chose:

This one was a little challenging, because I didn't want to make it look like the butterfly.  I wanted to show how you can really change the image, but still start with a sketch as your inspiration.  This was fun!

Don't forget about the Stamp Club deadline to pay to register for August.  If you did not sign up for the 3-month club (July-August-September), you can still pay $45. and take the August class.  
Pay to register by Monday, July 22.

Here's what we'll be making:

And here's what you'll get to take home:

I hope you'll join us.  We're going to have a lot of fun and I'll give you more ideas to try at home, using your take-home goodies.

Today is the first day of Convention.  I'll be posting about some of the fun things we get to see and do, so be sure to check back often.  Thanks for stopping by.

Step It Up Series, Card 1 ... and A Little Talk About Stamp Club

Today's post is the first of a series on cards.  I did a little project a while back with my Inkin' in the Land of Lincoln Team.  Our project involved sharing templates and then each designing our own cards, using each of the templates.  I even assigned homework, which was to take one of the cards we made and design our own 'stepped up' version of it.

I must admit that I have had a series of technical difficulties with uploading some of the team's cards and sketches, so I will share what I do have.  Sometimes, technology is your friend ... and sometimes not.

First up, this was Lynn's sketch.
On the left (above):  my version of it.  On the right:  my stepped up version of it.

This was the sketch:

I hope this little series will inspire you to try using some templates.  There are lots and lots of resources on the internet for finding and using templates.  Also, do a search on my blog to find more of our template projects and ideas.  Give it a try!

Now, for a little talk about Stamp Club.  
We've already had our first session, in July.  Here's what we got to make for my July Stamp Club Color Camp:

What you did NOT see is all the products that were included in your class fee.  Here's all that each participant got to take home at the end of the class:

That's a lot!!!  All this for just $40.  ($45. if you sign up for just 1 month.)

Here's what we will be making in August:

Here's all you'll get to take home, after the class:

That's a lot of projects, a lot of goodies and a lot of fun!  The August projects will make great gifts and the banner will look cute in your home!  

At each class, I will show you more ideas that you can use to create more projects at home.  If you did not sign up for the 3-month Stamp Club for July-August-September, you can pay $45. to sign up for just August.  The payment deadline is Monday, July 22!!!  Sign up now and join in on the fun. 

Oops!

I posted the wrong card for the bonus card for my Friday Night Cards class!  I posted the one we're all making in the class.  The bonus card is a different color story of that same card.  Here it is.

It's a new color story of this same design.

Changing the color story can really change the looks of a card.  Which color story do you like the best?
So, have a great day and thanks for letting me set the record straight.

2 More Cards from Laura

Here are Laura's other 2 cards from our team project using card templates.  Enjoy!

This card is from sketch #3.  I love how Laura added the embossed layer.  To see more of our cards using this sketch, click here.

Here is her card from Sketch #4.

I love how she changed the 3 pieces from the template to be a banner.  To see more of our cards using this sketch, click here.

Laura, I hope I got all of these into the correct order, as you wanted them.
Have a great day everyone!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Guest Artist: Laura Worden, continued

Today's post is brought to you by a guest artist, Laura Worden.  This good friend and talented lady is in my downline and I want to share some of her beautiful work.  I'm fortunate to have her be a part of our Inkin' in the Land of Lincoln team.

These cards were done as a part of our team project using card template sketches.  I'll show the sketches again, to refresh your memory.

The card above is from sketch #1.  To see more of our cards using this sketch, click here.

Notice that there is a similar card in our Spring Catalog.  ALWAYS look to our catalogs for inspiration in your projects.  They have some super ideas in them.

This card was made with our sketch #2.  

To see more of our cards using this sketch,  click here.

Come back soon to see Laura's other sketch samples.  Have a great day and be sure to make it be a creative day.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Sketch Template Series, Part 4

Today's post is our 4th and final sketch in our sketch template series.  Today's cards are all about threes --- so triple the fun.  Let's get right to it.  

This is a really great sketch and easily inspires a lot of creative ideas.  It would look good with a vertical orientation, too.

Notice how Jenn changed the orientation of the top layer a bit.  I love the little baker's twine bow at the end of the ribbon.

 

For my card, I used the same DSP and broke out my bottle caps.  This one has been smashed.  To see how to easily smash them, click here.

I let the natural design of the DSP become the 3 images from the sketch.  Then I highlighted one by attaching it inside the bottle cap.  

Here's another way you could use this design, similar yet fresh and new.

All 3 of these cards show creative use of ribbon, also.  Ribbon can be a wonderful way to add a quick and beautiful accent to your card creations.

For Lynn's card, she stamped the poppies, colored them in and then used circle punches to accent the 3 pieces.  This is an excellent example of a fresh take on a large stamp.  I love the look.  I'm sorry I didn't get close-ups of Lynn's cards.  I was clicking away quickly as she was preparing to leave the meeting and I didn't want to hold her up.

Notice that Lynn did not use any ribbon or embellishments.  Because of the busy design in the background paper, I don't think she needed anything else.  Her design lets your eyes rest where they should --- on the 3 focal pieces.

That concludes the cards and templates that we have made so far.  We're still waiting for out-of-state people to have a chance to do theirs.

Our Team meets again next week and I already have a plan for continuing our little card sketch templates project.  At our next meeting, everyone will be bringing 1 sketch template with them --- one they've found that they really like or one that they've designed themselves.  Using new products from my pre-order, we will each make our version of a card from each of the templates.  

The project will continue on into June when we will each bring back 1 of the cards we made in May AND a stepped-up version of the same card.  This is really a fun project.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a part of my Inkin' in the Land of Lincoln team, just say the word.  You're welcome to come to one of my Team Meetings and learn what it's all about.

So now I'd really love to hear from you.

• Did you try one of the sketch templates?
• Which one did you try?
• Which sketch template do you like the best?

Have a great day and... you know the drill... go stamp something!

Sketch Template Series, Part 3

Today's post brings us to Part 3 in our sketch template series.  I really like this sketch a lot and find it quite useful and versatile.

 

Here's what we made with this sketch:

Jenn's card makes use of circle and square punches.  I love how she used just a tiny bit of stamping in the top corner.

For this card, I used the A Round Array stamp set with the papers from the Sent with Love Promotional.  My sentiment is stamped directly onto the cotton ribbon.

I had both my sea stamp sets out, playing with them and decided to make a second card with this template.  I used the cotton ribbon for my 'flag' piece.  I grunged it up a bit with Soft Suede ink.

I love how Lynn layered her squares for this design.  Isn't this a great card?

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.